Can a UK Credit Card debt create problem in Thailand on Visa Matters?

[travelman]

Hi

My friend has recently landed to Bangkok from UK considering long term stay in Thailand. He is carrying a debt of around 8000 GBP with Lloyds. And he is now at the moment in no means to pay that debt as I am supporting his food and lodging. He did not file bankruptcy in UK. before his arrival in Thailand.

Any information about UK debt collection agencies can follow him or not to Thailand or create problems for his visa during his stay in Thailand will be valuable.

Or if UK debt can be sold to local Thai debt collection agency and thus creating pain in Arse.

Cheers

[MB1]

I doubt very much they'll chase hime all the way to Thailand for 8k , the debt collection agencies are full on chasing millions around the UK who are in debt, sleep at night and tell your mate to do the same in Thailand.

If or when he go's back they may find him and chase him for the debt but they can't take blood out of a stone...

[stoneyboy]

I'd be more concerned that he's skint and on my door step in all fairness.

Do you plan to finance his entire stay ?

[uptheos]

If he wants to go bankrupt, maybe he can file for bankruptcy from abroad.

http://www.freefromdebt.org.uk/our-services/bankruptcy-from-abroad

[travelman]

Yup. I am financing his stay in Thailand.

I'd be more concerned that he's skint and on my door step in all fairness.

Do you plan to finance his entire stay ?

[stoneyboy]

Yup. I am financing his stay in Thailand.

I'd be more concerned that he's skint and on my door step in all fairness.

Do you plan to finance his entire stay ?

That's very generous of you.

So back to the topic.

Then he'll have no problem here from people back in the UK.

My concern was for his welfare whilst here but he's got that covered.

[travelman]

Yup. I am financing his stay in Thailand.

I'd be more concerned that he's skint and on my door step in all fairness.

Do you plan to finance his entire stay ?

That's very generous of you.

So back to the topic.

Then he'll have no problem here from people back in the UK.

My concern was for his welfare whilst here but he's got that covered.

But I am not financing his debts. Only Food and Lodging. I hope my mate also seeing my post. Lol.

[OJAS]

Not sure how he could stay in Thailand on a long-term basis as long as he has this colossal debt hanging round his neck. Looks to me like he might have to go back to the UK and face the music there sooner rather than later in any event.

[wolf5370]

I have known plenty of people here that have done just that - some even racked them up to their limits before coming! After 5 6 years most debts will disappear from CCN searches, but not taxes (community charge) - they of course may seize anything he owns back in the UK through the County Court system. His family will likely be hounded with creditor letters too - they can get that sorted though (go to the CAB they can get it stopped via a couple of agencies). Of course, on return he will have no credit history at all - so will find credit hard to get again.

They certainly will not chase him - there is no extradition for debt (it is not criminal, but civil - although taxes/community charges/TV licenses debts do come under criminal - but still there be no chase). All these debts are underwritten anyway - so the companies write off the debt after time (claim against bad debt) and banks actually make on it (it allows them to offset money against future bad debt with is held for 7 years tax free - i.e. they can set aside profits (the amount of which is a guess based on the previous year's bad debt ratios) for bad debt for 7 years and any unclaimed can return after that time without having to pay taxes on it like they would have for the profit itself) - non-banks are insured which eventually back tracks to a bank and the bad debt tax write off system. There is no real loss to them to make it worth while chasing him - and there is little chance finding him will help if he is out of the country (unless he can be tricked to return or forced to in other ways).

\\Edit: Just checked - it's 6 years not 5 (changed above). But then all debt (civil debts) are removed - however, he must NOT pay any of them in between, as any time he does the clock will restart - it has to be silent for 6 years.

[DILLIGAD]

Not sure how he could stay in Thailand on a long-term basis as long as he has this colossal debt hanging round his neck. Looks to me like he might have to go back to the UK and face the music there sooner rather than later in any event.

Funding a long term stay here is nothing to do with a debt elsewhere.

He could owe ten bob or ten billion: he still needs to eat/drink and be Mary so I'd guess sooner or later Travelmans generosity will wear thin and then the guy will be F$$ked AND a long way from home.

[travelman]

Not sure how he could stay in Thailand on a long-term basis as long as he has this colossal debt hanging round his neck. Looks to me like he might have to go back to the UK and face the music there sooner rather than later in any event.

Funding a long term stay here is nothing to do with a debt elsewhere.

He could owe ten bob or ten billion: he still needs to eat/drink and be Mary so I'd guess sooner or later Travelmans generosity will wear thin and then the guy will be F$$ked AND a long way from home.

[MB1]

Not sure how he could stay in Thailand on a long-term basis as long as he has this colossal debt hanging round his neck. Looks to me like he might have to go back to the UK and face the music there sooner rather than later in any event.

Colossal debt my ars*, have a check on what the average household/persons debt is in the UK, plenty of figures out there for you to chew on so I won't bother providing links.

[Huayrat]

Yes they can sell the debt on to a collection company in Thailand.. Will they do it?? I doubt it..

[Huayrat]

I have known plenty of people here that have done just that - some even racked them up to their limits before coming! After 5 6 years most debts will disappear from CCN searches, but not taxes (community charge) - they of course may seize anything he owns back in the UK through the County Court system. His family will likely be hounded with creditor letters too - they can get that sorted though (go to the CAB they can get it stopped via a couple of agencies). Of course, on return he will have no credit history at all - so will find credit hard to get again.

They certainly will not chase him - there is no extradition for debt (it is not criminal, but civil - although taxes/community charges/TV licenses debts do come under criminal - but still there be no chase). All these debts are underwritten anyway - so the companies write off the debt after time (claim against bad debt) and banks actually make on it (it allows them to offset money against future bad debt with is held for 7 years tax free - i.e. they can set aside profits (the amount of which is a guess based on the previous year's bad debt ratios) for bad debt for 7 years and any unclaimed can return after that time without having to pay taxes on it like they would have for the profit itself) - non-banks are insured which eventually back tracks to a bank and the bad debt tax write off system. There is no real loss to them to make it worth while chasing him - and there is little chance finding him will help if he is out of the country (unless he can be tricked to return or forced to in other ways).

\\Edit: Just checked - it's 6 years not 5 (changed above). But then all debt (civil debts) are removed - however, he must NOT pay any of them in between, as any time he does the clock will restart - it has to be silent for 6 years.

They can still contact him after 6 years and if he answers the call the debt restarts again... The bank will and do sell the debt on to a collection agency for a small amount.. So in fact it won't be the bank that's chasing him it will be an outside debt collector agency..

[travelman]

@

Huayrat

Any known example that a UK debt has been sold debt to Thai Debt collection agency. And thus creating problems. I think if as such would be indeed very informative to everybody.

Cheers

[wolf5370]

@

Huayrat

Any known example that a UK debt has been sold debt to Thai Debt collection agency. And thus creating problems. I think if as such would be indeed very informative to everybody.

Cheers

Huayrat is quite correct, debt is often sold to debt collection agencies (sometimes these are subsidiaries of the main lender - sometimes the debts stay in-house, but this is becoming rarer) - although sometimes this is passed (sold) back after a given time or just wiped off. A lot of these are well known as scammers and have some very dubious tactics - including pretending to be officially (even using slightly modified government like logos and names that make them sound like tax offices). The way it works is this (scenario made up as are the %s and figures, but they are representative) : Credit Card defaulted past maximum time (8k) sold to solicitor based debt collection agency (for 6k - credit agency record amended as defaulted) agency adds fees and interest (11k - fees are often very high, but can be defended against in court - often court throws them out as being excessive, that doesn't stop them trying - credit agency record added and earlier amended to show transfer of debt) ......they chase you and harass everyone with your name or similar on the electorate roll - check your facebook/G+/Twitter account for any info...after 2 years generally placed on watch list and maybe one letter sent out here and there on new or unreturned/unblocked addresses...maybe sold to several other agencies in this time (each accruing a CCN record) ...after agreed time sold back to original lender (or subsidiary that handles bad debt) for 20% original (not outstanding) and generally forgotten about unless CCN activity picks it up and then may go back through agencies once again...6years CCN non-activity, records purged by law (only allowed to keep credit records for 6 years inactive). Odds of him being caught at this point is very low. It is all based on the percentage off people that they can track down and make money on - chasing some guy to Thailand is not going to reap anything and cost money - soft targets are their main target - and 8k is pennies!

[wolf5370]

Yes they can sell the debt on to a collection company in Thailand.. Will they do it?? I doubt it..

There would be no way to enforce collection here. The contract would not be covered under Thai jurisdiction so the Thai Agency would have to sue him back in the UK - and there is no way of forcing him back to the UK. Besides bad debt is rife here with Thais not paying back loans - they are enough soft targets to prey on here to be concerned with the nightmare of trying to claim back under a foreign jurisdiction.

[wolf5370]

If he has no UK assets, he should seriously consider going the bankruptcy route: https://www.gov.uk/bankruptcy/overview - it will cost 700Gbp

[DILLIGAD]

@

Huayrat

Any known example that a UK debt has been sold debt to Thai Debt collection agency. And thus creating problems. I think if as such would be indeed very informative to everybody.

Cheers

Like you, I don't believe this would happen in Thailand.

[Colabamumbai]

I'd be more concerned that he's skint and on my door step in all fairness.

Do you plan to finance his entire stay ?

No. but as stoneyboy says.....Not a good investment. Just the kind of people we need in Thailand. No money no honey, no visa or visa entension money and someday he may cause a problem to bring the police to your door. Interest accruing daily, so he/she runs to Thailand. There are enough foreign beggars on the streets now. He cannot be responsible for himslef/herself let alone anyone else.

I would tell them the Baht stops here.

[Colabamumbai]

A few days before I die I will use the 9 grand daily limit on my visa card, then they can come after my ashes.

[travelman]

A few days before I die I will use the 9 grand daily limit on my visa card, then they can come after my ashes.

I salute. Thumbs up.

[philw]

A few days before I die I will use the 9 grand daily limit on my visa card, then they can come after my ashes.

Baht is that ???

[gamini]

@

Huayrat

Any known example that a UK debt has been sold debt to Thai Debt collection agency. And thus creating problems. I think if as such would be indeed very informative to everybody.

Cheers

I had an American Express Gold Card in Hong Kong whilst I was living in Chiangmai. I topped up the account with most of my balance cash in London and the office suggested that since my card was a bit frayed they would renew it. So I gave it to them and they said to come back in two 4 days time. The card got lost in Hongkong and they were unable to get it back before my return flight left. I had no means of paying my Hotel bill and so I could not leave, I missed my flight and my whole onward holiday was screwed up. It was a dreadful experince and American Express profusely apologised. They finally issued me a new card three days after I was supposed the leave. I used it to buy a first class flight back to Bangkok and demanded$10,000 compension for the loss of the rest of my holiday. They refused citing "computer error" They would not even compensate me for my airfare. So I threatened to take them to court. I got no reply.So I spent $10,000 less my airfare and advised them accordingly. They cancelled my card and not long after I was hounded in Chiangmai by someone saying he was ffrom American Express making threats in spite of me explaining the situation many times. Finally I got a lawyer and sued them. They wrigled out of the case by citeing some clause in credit card rules and finally left me alone.

So I am posting this because credit card companies do chase up debts. So beware maybe not small ones but 8000 GBP??,

[darrendsd]

The simple answer to your question from someone who has experience of this is no they will not chase him for the money and no it will not cause any problems with his visa

[PattayaPhom]

Amother quality tourist for TAT figures

[sustento]

I have known plenty of people here that have done just that - some even racked them up to their limits before coming! After 5 6 years most debts will disappear from CCN searches, but not taxes (community charge) - they of course may seize anything he owns back in the UK through the County Court system. His family will likely be hounded with creditor letters too - they can get that sorted though (go to the CAB they can get it stopped via a couple of agencies). Of course, on return he will have no credit history at all - so will find credit hard to get again.

They certainly will not chase him - there is no extradition for debt (it is not criminal, but civil - although taxes/community charges/TV licenses debts do come under criminal - but still there be no chase). All these debts are underwritten anyway - so the companies write off the debt after time (claim against bad debt) and banks actually make on it (it allows them to offset money against future bad debt with is held for 7 years tax free - i.e. they can set aside profits (the amount of which is a guess based on the previous year's bad debt ratios) for bad debt for 7 years and any unclaimed can return after that time without having to pay taxes on it like they would have for the profit itself) - non-banks are insured which eventually back tracks to a bank and the bad debt tax write off system. There is no real loss to them to make it worth while chasing him - and there is little chance finding him will help if he is out of the country (unless he can be tricked to return or forced to in other ways).

\\Edit: Just checked - it's 6 years not 5 (changed above). But then all debt (civil debts) are removed - however, he must NOT pay any of them in between, as any time he does the clock will restart - it has to be silent for 6 years.

They can still contact him after 6 years and if he answers the call the debt restarts again... The bank will and do sell the debt on to a collection agency for a small amount.. So in fact it won't be the bank that's chasing him it will be an outside debt collector agency..

After 6 years in England and Wales (5 years in Scotland) the debt is stature barred and can no longer be enforced at all. The only two things which restart the clock before that 6 years is up is if a payment is made towards the debt or it is acknowledged in writing.

They can call as many times as they like both before and after the six years is up and as long as the debtor makes no payments and does not acknowledge ownership of the debt in writing they're dead in the water.

They can go for a County Court judgement but many of the debt collection agencies buy the debts at pennies in the pound and it's simply not worth their while to go to the CC. They just try and frighten you by telling lies and sending threatening letters.

What some of the dodgier debt collection agency do when the six year limit is approaching is to make a 'phantom' payment into the account and then claim that the clock has restarted. All you have to do is require strict proof of the payment i.e. how it was made, cheque numbers, dates, bank account paid from etc.

If anyone in the UK is having debt collector problems the first port of call should be the debt section of consumeractiongroup.co.uk.

[Huayrat]

http://debt-consolidation.cleardebts.co.uk/move_abroad_debts_written_off.html

[sustento]

http://debt-consolidation.cleardebts.co.uk/move_abroad_debts_written_off.html

I'd be wary of sites like that. They charge you to 'help' manage your debts. There are charities that do the same thing for free:

http://www.stepchange.org/

[Huayrat]

http://debt-consolidation.cleardebts.co.uk/move_abroad_debts_written_off.html

I'd be wary of sites like that. They charge you to 'help' manage your debts. There are charities that do the same thing for free:

http://www.stepchange.org/

you can go read any debt advice page and they will all tell you the same thing.. That was just the first one that was at the top of the google search... They can sell the debt to another agency in another country 100% fact... Im also very highly doubt they will chase this guy to Thailand for 8k as i dont know of any debt agencies here or ever heard of anybody being chased here for a debt back home